Nigeria’s Vice President, With Children, the Leaders of Tomorrow
Parents, school proprietors and various stakeholders have pleaded with the governments, at all levels to consider reopening of both public and private schools locked down in the wake of the global covid- 19 pandemic. Concensus among various stakeholders shows that many are interested in re-opening the schools.
In a special report carried out by PTL News it was clearly shown that more people favoured the opening of schools so that it would not affect educational growth and standard of education across board.
PTLNEWS has gone to town to seek the views of some proprietors of schoos and concerned parents over the continued closure of schools across board.
In his response Mrs E. O. Afilaka a mother and a school proprietor reasoned that schools could not continue to be under lock and key because it would not only affect students but those that are engaged in the business of running schools.
According to her, students have been at home, teachers have been at home, it would have both short and long term effects on the pulpils. “There are many teachers whose means of livelihood depend on what they are paid by the schools, there is no doubt that this set of people would suffer.”
In another breath Mr Ade Fadeyi another proprietor called on government to do something about the state of education across every part of Nigeria. Government has closed schools churches, hotels and other public institutions across board for over two months now.
Mr Fadeyi explained that “it has not affected schools but also the students. JAMB has been on hold so also exams conducted by WAEC and NECO, there is no way the education across board would not be stagant, and therefore government should do something as a matter of emergency to tackle educational stagnancy across Nigeria.”
He lamented that even before covid-19 education has not been accorded a prominent space in the scheme of things. “The government does not spend enough on education, it does not take care of the pulpils and students, lecturers of public higher insistutions are always on strike and if Nigeria really wants to know development education must be given a pride of place,” he asserted.
To Rev. Gabriel Adeyemo of Alimoso Baptist Church it is time the government opened up the schools so as not to stagnate the growth of the students academically.
“In my opinion schools should be reopened. We have now been well informed about how to protect ourselves against the spread of the virus, and I believe each stakeholders would act responsibly.
Also speaking in the same capacity Rev Olumide Adeleke of God the Ominipresent Church, Sango, Ogun State called on government to declare open both public and private schools to allow the children to have unfettered access to education and learning in due time.
He said “I am of the opinion that schools should be opened but with clear safety measures put in place. It’s time for our leaders to be patriotic and act responsibly as regards the future of this great nation which is our children. Government schools and students should be well funded and when giving money for any projects, a monitoring team should be set up to monitor the execution of such projects so that it would not be business as usual.
To Prince A. A. Agunbiade another parent, Government should put a structure in place for school children to enable them go back to their various classes. To him “I don’t think it is a good idea to let the children stay at home forever, let the government strategise a plan that will allow our children to go back to schools.
Also to Mrs Akinwunmi who is in favour of opening the schools added that the most important thing is that government should ensure that all necessary and adequate preventive measures like running water, soap, sanitizers, use of nose masks be put in place for the saftey of the students and their teachers.
On the other side some parents were of the opinion that schools should still remain under lock and key until we see the end of the ravenging coronavirus across the world.
Some of the respondents are of the view that government has done well by not exposing the children to coronavirus pandemic. According to Mrs Abolanle Kazeem, a civil servant, the closure of schools was quite appropriate and it was the right step taken by the government.
In the opinion of Mrs Abiodun Olorundare, a business woman, schools should remain closed until the coast is clear but the government should begin to prepare for the reopening on a day not too far because schools cannot be closed perpetually, more so that we are told we are likely to live with the virus for a long time.
To Rev. Dr. Victory Bassey, the efforts of the government to close schools during the pandemic was commendable even though it might not be in the best interest of school proprietors and some parents, but it was good the government acted swiftly to protect the students.
In the light of what the government could do to prepare schools for resumption, while parents were advised to continue to go ahead with private teacher arrangement, as government also had arranged for online and broadcasting of teaching on radio and television, many people could not see much of success in this.
For instance many parents might not have money to hire private tutors, especially when nobody was allowed to go out and work under the pandemic.
Beside, it was believed that Nigveria was not yet factored towards making good impact from online and on an air studies. This is simply because the infrastructure is not on the ground.
“In a place where many homes do not have constant supplies of electricity, how many students would be able to watch on air lectures, besides how many parents can afford buying data to run their online studies? It would be reduced to some privileged students at the end of the day,. We are yet to know the efficacy of this government’s effort, “responded Mrs. Afilaka.
On what to do to put the schools in shape preparatory to reopening it was agreed that government should commence actions to reopen both private and public schools as soon as possible.
Mrs. Kaseem advised the government to arrange for fumigation of the school premises while medical staff should be sent out regularly to check out on schools in every nook and crany of the nation to check on students and teachers alike.
“The government should also lay down strict rules to direct the children and the teachers. Moreover, I suggest that there should be morning and afternoon classes done to overpopulation in public schools and certain private schools in the country. Social distancing, frequent washing of hands should also be encouraged. The children and proprietors should continue to endure and be law abiding” advised Mrs. Kazeem.
To Mrs Oyidi Oluwaseyi children and proprietores were advised to be focused and take their online courses seriously as long as the lockdown would last, as she suggested that schools should remain closed until all preventive measures are put in place both by the government and school propretors.
For Mrs. Ganiyat Babatunde, as things were, it was unlikely that the schools were ready to reopen because she could not imagine how teachers would teach students with nose or mouth masks, it would not allow free flow of information across the students and their teacher, of which Mrs Bassey concurred.
Mrs Bassey advised school propretors to adhere strictly to the instructions and guidelines of NCDC. “Every child must be taught on the need to keep to the hygenic and safety measures for their safety.”
She also advised that government should consider giving loans and palliatives to schools proprietors as a way of support to the huge number of citizens employed by the sector.
In his own opinion Rev. Adeyemo advised the government to fast track all measures that tend towards schools resumption soonest, suggesting “rather than providing food for students at home, such funds should be directed towards providing necessary resources that would fast track reopening of schools.”
It is expected that the government would consider reopening of both private and public schools to allow students access to education across board.
HAPPY CHILDREN’S DAY.
Parents, Proprietors, What They Say
Schools should be opened with safety measures put in place
– Rev. Olumide Adeleke
I am of the opinion that schools should be opened with safety measures put in place. It’s time for our leaders to be patriotic and act responsibly as regards the future of this great nation which is our children.
Government schools and students should be well funded, when giving money for any projects, a monitoring team should be set up to monitor the execution of such project, so that it won’t be business as usual.
The feeding project during this lockdown is nothing but fraud, why give them food in their parents’ house?
When the project was introduced to encourage education, how can one monitor it? Our leaders need to wake up, if we desire a better society. A lot of lofty policies working in other countries are not working here, why? Leadership problem. Their failure is what the private schools are now taking advantage of.
All stake holders should note that we would only be remembered by what we have done. If we want to be remembered for good, let’s forget about the past, let’s go off greed and rise up to build an enviable society and it begins with the education of our children throughout the country.
Private schools should note that education is not a business that they have made it in taking advantage of the parents but rather it’s a ministry that affect and shape generations, therefore they ought to run it with the fear of God and excellence.
Children must be determined and focus to get the best from the systems to be better and positively influenced in life.
May the Lord bless all our children with divine enablement and wisdom to grow up to become solutions to the multi faceted problems confronting our nation in Jesus mighty name.
God bless our children, God bless PTL and God bless Nigeria.
The Government Should Declare State of Emergency in the Education System- Rev. G.S. Adeyemo.
What will you like to tell the Government on the continued closure of Schools under this Corona Lockdown?
The government should declare state of emergency in the education system. They should provide everything needed to protect the teachers and students from the spread of the virus. We are not ripe enough for e-learning. Let schools reopen with adherence to the regulations while governments at all levels provide funds.
Will you suggest the schools are opened or still remain under lock, till the last trace of Coronavirus is removed?
Schools should be reopened. We have been well informed about how to protect ourselves against the spread of the virus. Each person is expected to act responsibly.
How will you like to rate the Federal Government on its performance on School Children’s feeding programme even in holidays?
I will rate the government poor in that regard. Such fund should be directed to providing necessary resources that will fast track reopening of schools.
What will be your message to the children and school proprietors on how to cope with the lockdown?
“Excuse does not remove offense.” Lockdown should not lockdown learning. Let both students and teachers with support from parents find ways of communicating.
Happy Children’s Day
Consider the Private School Operators For Loans, Palliatives -Rev. Dr. Victory C. BASSEY
I want to speak as a parent as well as a school owner.
Firstly, I will like to thank God for the wisdom our Government took to intervene as at the time they did because of the pandemic even though it did not augur well with all the parties concerned (Parents/School Operators), but it was worth the while.
On the issue of school resumption, speaking as a bonafide member of National Association of Proprietors of Private School Owners, l must say here that we are fully ready in terms of providing the needed facilities in place but I don’t think the Federal government should reopen schools yet since the number of cases recorded are still in the increase and worrisome.
As an educationist and educational entrepreneur, it’s an issue of concern when you think of how learning will take place in the classroom with the teacher wearing a mask and standing before learners who are also putting on mask. This may not be able to relate properly.
I may not be in the best position to rate the government on its performance on school children feeding programme even on holidays/ lockdown because from my community here, I am yet to witnesse one.
I will advise every school proprietor to adhere strictly to the instructions and guidelines of National Centre Disease Control. Every child must be taught on the need to keep to the hygienic and safety measures for their safety. However, I beckon on the government to consider the private school operators in giving loans, palliatives, as a way of support to the huge number of citizens employed by this sector.
You see a lot of our Proprietors wouldn’t want to hear the truth all they want is how to take in money. This is not supposed to be so.
There Should Be Morning And Afternoon Classes
Abolanle Kazeem, Civil servant
The closure of schools is quite appropriate and it was the right step taken by the government. However, this has had some adverse effects on school children – both primary and secondary. Some capable parents have taken the right step in getting private tutors for their children. Majority of the children in Nigeria do not have access to this. This will eventually make the children nationwide to become slow-witted and lagging behind when they resume.
I therefore propose that schools be first fumigated and resumption should be at a later date. Medical staff members should be sent out regularly to check on schools in every nook and cranny of the nation to check on students and teachers alike. The government should also lay down strict rules to direct the children and teachers.
Moreover, I suggest that there should be morning and afternoon classes due to the overpopulation in public schools and certain private schools in the country. Social distancing, frequent washing of hands should also be encouraged.
The children and proprietors should continue to endure and be law-abiding.
All Measures As Defined By NCDC Should Be Put In Place
Abiodun Olorundare, Business Woman.
In my opinion the school should still be closed until the coast is a bit clear, but the government school begin to prepare for the reopening on a date not to far because school cannot be closed in perpetuity and we are made to understand that we are likely going to live with the virus for a long time. All measure as defined by NCDC should be put in place. I will advise that schools should begin to look at way of running Morning and Afternoon shift so that they can achieve a social distance measure.
On the school feeding program I think it not achieving it aim. Some people are using it to enrich themselves. What the government should do is to look at a way of eradicating poverty in the country. The money can be channel to empowerment programs.
Children and School Proprietors Should Be Focused and take their Online Classes Serious
– Oyidi Olwaseyi, Entrepreneur
Government has really done well so far on the lockdown and closure of school in order to stop the spread of COVID-19.
My suggestion is that the school should remain closed for like two months so that we can still test the waters because I learnt that the virus can be endemic (having it around for long just like malaria and other diseases we have around).
This period can be used by Government and private school owners to put in place proper measure that would curb the spread of the virus just like what the Chinese Government did.
My children’s day message to the children and school proprietors is for them to be focused and equally take their online classes seriously for the lockdown period. God almighty will see all of us through this trying period in Jesus name
Schools Should Still Remain Closed Till The Last Trace of COVID -19
-Mrs Ganiyat Bodunde, a Business woman.
My own suggestion is that schools should still remain under lock, till the last trace of coronavirus is removed. After all it’s our children we are talking about here. It’s wrong if schools will resume on the 8th of June because to my understanding, most of the teachers use public transport to commute to school and in as much as I know they won’t want to toy with their health and that of our children too.
Some days ago someone sent something to me about how to be wearing nose masks for a long period time can be dangerous to our health not to talk of children and we all know how uncomfortable that can be. So for now school should still remain closed till the last trace of coronavirus is removed.
Necessary and Adequate Preventive Measures Should Be Put In Place
-Mrs Akinwunmi.
I wish the Government could open the schools and let our children return to school. The most important thing is that necessary and adequate preventive measures such as Water, Soap, Sanitizer, Use of Nose mask should be put in place. Mrs Akinwunmi.
Let Us Stay Safe and Well Until This Pandemic Is Brought Under Control
– Mrs Jinadu.
The closure of schools is appropriate. The recommended health and safety protocols to limit transmission of the virus : social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing are not available in most schools.
- Schools should remain closed until government is able to stem the tide of new infections and testing capacity is greatly increased.
- It’s advisable for government to continue feeding programmes during the lockdown. Government Performance in this regard is Poor. 4 Children should engage themselves in on line academic studies to remain focused. Staying safe and well until this pandemic is brought under control is far more important at this moment. Thank you.
Government Should Empower Parents – Prince A.A. Agunbiade.
Government should put a structure in place for school children to enable them go back to their various classes.
I don’t think it is a good idea to let the children stay at home forever. The government should strategize a plan that will allow our children back to schools.
Children’s feeding is not a good idea for us as a nation. What government needs to do is to empower parents by so doing these parents can provide or cater for their children very well.
Our children and proprietors need to follow the lay down policy of NCDC to the latter in order to stay safe.
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